Is the named Pakistan squad best combination, as claimed by Qasim?

Pakistan cricket chief selector, Iqbal Qasim Friday said that the named outfit was the best combination available in the country keeping in view the toughness and seriousness of the Champions Trophy. He said that Pakistan had no option but to look towards their experienced players for a tough event like the Champions Trophy. "The Champions Trophy has the world's best eight teams," said Qasim, who took over as the chief selector early this month. "We will need all the experience we have to do well in it as there are top teams like Australia and India in our group." Pakistan made an embarrassing first round exit from the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in India after suffering defeats at the hands of New Zealand and South Africa.

Qasim made it clear that the senior players had to perform otherwise there were many youngsters full of potential who can fill their places. When asked about Pakistan’s chances in the event, the former leg spinner said if Pakistan were able to defeat West Indies in their opening match, then the team would be on the right track to make ‘step by step progress’ in their quest to win the coveted title.

Pakistan team selectors, headed by former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim, have dropped experienced and seasoned all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and opener Salman Butt. Opener Nasir Jamshed, who was part of the one-day international squad in Sri Lanka, has also been excluded, while the controversial fast bowler Mohammad Asif in a 15-member squad named for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Asif had served his time for the mistakes he made and the board felt he could be a big asset for the team in such a big tournament, said Qasim. But despite his selection, Asif can’t take part in Pakistan’s conditioning camp leading up to the Champions Trophy because his ban expires after the camp finishes.

The selectors have stuck with the batting line-up that performed poorly against Sri Lanka. The experienced batting quartet of Shoaib Malik, Misbahul Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan forms the basis of the batting line-up. All-rounder Shahid Afridi has been appointed vice captain keeping in view his performance as captain in the only Twenty20 international during the Sri Lanka tour. The Pakistan squad has only one specialist opener in Imran Nazir, who returned to the side in Sri Lanka after leaving the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). Many eyes will be on Umar Akmal, wicketkeeper Kamran’s 19-year-old brother, who made such an impact in Sri Lanka and was Pakistan’s highest scorer in that series.

Squad: Younis Khan (captain), Imran Nazir, Misbahul Haq, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Rana Navedul Hasan, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Saeed Ajmal.